Chapter Text
Noah was in distress.
Well, not actual distress, but the kind that made his day feel slightly off-kilter. His usual cafe—his sacred morning ritual where he had visited every morning for his daily dose of caffeine had closed overnight without warning. A tiny "Permanently Closed" sign on the door was the only explanation he got, like a little mockery on him.
He’s been visiting the same cafe for months since he found it—something about his tendency to only fix on one place with the same familiar taste.
He sighed dramatically, stuffing his hands into his pockets as he scanned the street for alternatives. He needed to find one quickly, knowing well enough that he wouldn't be able to go through the rest of his day without the intoxicating taste of bitterness from the coffee. After a moment of aimless walking, he stopped in front of a small cafe he’d never noticed before.
"Asterum Café," the sign read in a warm, inviting font. It smelled like fresh coffee and something sweet. He was skeptical. Would their coffee be any good?
With no better choice, he stepped inside.
Yejun was in the middle of wiping down the counter when the bell above the door chimed. Another customer. He glanced up briefly only to be met with a pair of striking blue eyes scanning the menu board like they were analyzing stock market trends.
A new face. He’d never seen this person before, if he did—there’s no way he would forget someone with such a bold blond hair like him. Something about the man’s aura screamed trouble, but Yejun didn’t have the luxury of being picky with customers.
"Welcome," he said, voice steady. "What can I get you?"
Noah hummed, tilting his head slightly as he shifted his gaze from the menu to the man behind the counter, examining Yejun instead.
Blue hair, deep violet eyes, and a face that looked like it belonged on a magazine cover rather than behind a cafe counter.
Yejun could see the moment his eyes sparkled in something he didn't wish to know.
"Are you on the menu?" Noah asked, leaning on the counter with a playful smirk.
Yejun blinked once. Then twice.
"No," he deadpanned. "Try again."
Noah grinned, clearly pleased. "Alright, alright. I'll take an iced americano and your number, if you’re feeling generous."
Yejun didn’t even flinch as he punched in the order. "That’ll be 3,000 won. And no."
"Wow. Ice-cold," Noah mused, digging for his wallet. "I like that."
Yejun said nothing, only handed him his receipt. "Your order will be ready soon."
As Noah strolled off to find a seat, he couldn’t stop the amused chuckle that escaped him. This cafe might not be so bad after all.
The next day, Noah returned.
Yejun wasn’t surprised. He seemed like the persistent type.
"What would you like to order?" Yejun asked, showing no interest in the grinning man in front of him.
“The usual.” Yejun lifted his head to look at the man, then sighed. “You've only been here once.” He said, punching in Iced Americano on the machine.
Noah’s face lit up and he leaned against the counter. “Oh? So you remembered me? Hmm well, I understand. It's hard to forget this face right?”
"Your order will be ready soon," Yejun replied, handing him his receipt.
"Ouch." Noah clutched his chest dramatically. "You wound me, Yejun."
Yejun raised an eyebrow then glanced at the nametag firmly secured on his apron. He sighed again. This is why he hated the idea of wearing nametag at work.
"You don’t even know me," Yejun muttered.
"Yet," Noah corrected smoothly. "I’ll be back tomorrow."
Yejun scoffed, watching as Noah walked away.
But true to his word, Noah kept coming back. Every single day.
Along the days, he ended up learning his name—involuntarily as Noah kept repeating his name over and over again.
And every single day, without fail, he flirted.
Some days, it was as simple as a wink and a "Missed me?" Other days, it was borderline ridiculous.
"Yejun, do you believe in fate?"
"No."
"But how else do you explain the fact that I lost my favourite cafe only to find this one, where you, the most beautiful barista in existence, work?"
"Coincidence."
"Cold," Noah sighed. "But I like the challenge."
At first, Yejun found him annoying. Then, he found him tolerable. And eventually, though he would never admit it out loud—he started looking forward to Noah’s visits.
No—what is he saying?
It's simply became part of his routine, that's all.
He had gotten used to the predictable routine: the teasing, the dramatic monologues, the terrible pick-up lines. The cafe felt a little less dull whenever Noah walked in.
One evening, after a particularly long shift, Yejun caught himself glancing at the door before closing time. He frowned. Noah hadn’t shown up today.
That was unusual.
Not that Yejun cared. Obviously.
Just as he was about to shake the thought away, the bell chimed.
"Cutting it close," Yejun said without thinking.
Noah, looking slightly breathless, grinned. "You were waiting for me?"
"No," Yejun said quickly. "What do you want?"
Noah leaned on the counter, eyes twinkling. "Iced americano. And… a date, if you’re feeling generous."
Yejun rolled his eyes, but this time, the corner of his lips twitched upward.
"One step at a time, loyal customer."